I really, REALLY want to get into UCLA, but my grades are not so up to that. I'm starting my senior year in one month and I need to know everything I can possibly do to improve my chances of getting accepted. as it stands, I slacked off a lot during high school and my GPA for my freshman year was a 2.8, sophomore year was a 2.9, and junior year was a 3.5. I'll definitely get a 4.0 for all quarters of my senior year (I know I can if I actually try), so if I don't get accepted I can transfer later. I took all the most difficult courses possible junior & senior years (almost all of them college-level) and on my SATs Math & Verbal I got a 1320 (or with all 3 sections on the new SAT I got a 2070). I'm gonna be taking them again and shooting for the 1400-1500 range w/ old scoring.
for extracirriculars I do a couple clubs and competetive swimming, I've done volunteer work at a retirement home and I'll be doing more soon somewhere else.
but this isn't enough to make up for my bad gpa!!
2006-08-12 19:09:14 · 11 answers · asked by m-cha 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You are right...your GPA can keep you out of these tough colleges that are so competitive to get into. I would have a great personal statement that would state that you did not think about college in your early High School years, but in your Junior and Senior years you averaged a 3.75.
This shows that the recent academic work that you have been doing should be at the level they are looking at to admit students into their university.
I would talk to a counslor at your high school and they would have suggestions on if it is possible to go to UCLA.
It is possible that you can take some Junior College credits, and get a higher GPA then transfer in that way. This would give you the advantage of:
Paying less for your education, transfer in with college level GPA scores that are higher than your high school scores, and then enter into UCLA under their transfer agreements with community colleges.
You will need to figure out what you want to take if you go this route and then begin taking classes towards that degree.
What I did:
I had a 1.75 GPA in high school. I went to Community College and got my grades up to a 3.6. I then figured out I wanted to get admitted to the business school at the UW.
I then took all the courses that were required to apply to that school. Then they took four grades and used that to compute my average into the business program.
English 102, Best Accounting grade, Business Math Grade, and the best economics grade that I received. This averaged out to a 3.8. I then practiced my personal statement, and then had to take an admittance essay test.
I practiced this for 6 weeks before I actually took the two essay tests.
My score for the essay test was way better than the average, and I believe this is what got me into the business program.
Good luck, I believe there are other ways to get into UCLA with the GPA you will end up with. It will take a lot of hard work and determination to do it, good luck.
Consider the Community College route, it could be your best bet!
Dave
2006-08-12 19:38:49 · answer #1 · answered by Dave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with a previous poster...consider community college...you can always transfer to UCLA after building up a strong GPA at a community college. You don't even have to stay for two years or earn an associate's degree...just build up some creds and get to know some instructors who will write some good letters of recommendation.
They get a bad reputation, which is completely undeserved. I can't imagine why people would go straight to university. I went for two years (I graduated high school near the top of my class), and had more opportunities there than I ever would have had anywhere else. I was vice president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, went on a dinosaur dig, and performed in Carnegie Hall in NYC. Community colleges really are a good place to start...don't rule it out.
2006-08-12 19:51:27 · answer #2 · answered by Sweet Jane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. it is not. I'm not being mean, but I figure you want the truth. You are going up against people who have carried 3.5 or higher for all 4 years and done obsene amounts of extrcarriculars. I would say you need to start you application letter now so that it is incredible and try your hardest. Try to get in, then keep up the hard work. You can transfere in later, but they will look at the whole package and you had better be working hard. In your letter, I would be honest. Accecpt responsibility for your past grades and show it as a growing and learning thing. Good Luck.
2006-08-12 19:15:25 · answer #3 · answered by J F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax!
There is an almost foolproof way for you to get into almost any state school you want to get into. Community College.
Seriously.
This is the absolute smartest thing to do - I don't know why more people don't do it.
Not only will you save tons of money, but by the time you are finished at your Community College, ANY state school will gladly accept you. There is an almost 95% acceptance rate for Transfer Students from Community Colleges.
You don't even need SAT scores.
After you graduate HS, just enroll at your local Community College as a "College Transfer Student."
You will do two years there and then you can transfer to any state school of your choice within your state.
2006-08-12 19:21:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's too late at this point. Because you have to apply to most places by December or January, only your first semester grades will be counted, and my high school didn't even include them in the GPA that they put on my applications. Even if you do start doing more extracurriculars and volunteer work, st this point it will look like you're just trying to pad your resume.
If it's any consolation, they look more at SATs than they do GPA, since high schools do tend to have a wide range of grading systems.
2006-08-12 19:16:21 · answer #5 · answered by answerator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well.. chances are pretty small, but the only thing u can do right now is to write a very good personal statement - like why u slack off (and how u manage to raise ur grade up, thats the important part), and explain well how u become a leader (i think that's the 2nd question in the personal statement). They really care about the personal statement, trust me. :) and good luck too
2006-08-12 19:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by Travis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are colleges out there that will take GPA averages of 3.0 and above and SAT scores as low as 1,100. I think you'll be fine! =D
As far as UCLA, you sound like you are going to make up for it so you might be fine!
2006-08-12 20:15:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't really know how admissions standards are in california but i do know that colleges do look for improvement. you gpa has gone up since your freshmen year. when you go to apply just write a killer essay if it is required and if they offer it a pre-entrance interview which could help you. hope the advice helps you and i wish you luck
2006-08-12 19:13:52 · answer #8 · answered by cwallace212 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,, ,just study hard this year,, work on your ACT or SAT test... if you have to ,,, go to a community college for a year to get your gpa up....
good luck
2006-08-12 19:15:26 · answer #9 · answered by eejonesaux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you visit the school, talk to whoever you can in admissions, they take notice of who is interested and who is just applying for the hell of it. Let them know they are your first choice far and away
2006-08-12 19:14:07 · answer #10 · answered by red_necksuck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋